A tragic Great War Western Front Officer’s pair awarded to Lieutenant J.R. Harder, Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, later 1/11th Gurkha Rifles who initially saw service on the Western Front from 8th September 1916, later seeing service in India. He would subsequently move to China where he would work for the Whangpoo Conservancy Board in Shanghai later being killed in a murderous attack by Chinese pirates whilst delivering pay on a small launch in the harbour.
Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal; (LIEUT. J.R. HARDER.) loose-mounted for wear.
Condition: loose-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
John Reedie Harder was born in Grange, Southern Australia and would be commissioned before seeing service with the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry on the Western Front from 8th September 1916, he would also later serve as a Lieutenant in the 1/11th Gurkha Rifles in India, his medals appearing on the list of the roll of officers from the Officer Commanding 1st (Peshawar) Division.
His medals were sent care of Whangpoo Conservancy Board, Shanghai, China.
Harder was still in China on 31st May 1930 and was the victim of a murderous attack by pirates on the Shanghai waterfront, the report in the Sunday Times of Perth, Western Australia on 1st June goes into further detail:
‘Pirates Outrage Death – Death of J.R. Harder
Search for relatives in Adelaide
John Robert Harder formerly of Adelaide University, who, was riddled by seven bullets – as ‘the result of a murderous waterfront yesterday, died early this morning.
Little information could be gained in Adelaide today regarding John Robert Harder, who was reported by cable to have been shot by pirates on the Shanghai waterfront yesterday and died this morning. He was said to be former Adelaide University. It was ascertained at the University this morning that John Reedie Harder, who was born in 1893 studied applied science there in 1910, 1911 and 1912 but he did not take a degree.
Only two families called Harder are living in Adelaide. They stated today that they are not related to the Harder who was shot in Shanghai.’
A further article in the Canberra Times relates:
‘John Hubert Harder, formerly of the Adelaide University is lying at death’s door riddled with seven bullets as the result of a murderous attack on Shanghai waterfront this morning
James Irvine, a companion is not expected in live. He also was shot twice in the abdomen. A Chinese member of the pay staff was killed and two clerks dangerously wounded.
Two foreigners and a member of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board were engaged in issuing wages in a small launch moored at a wharf in the industrial district, when a launch containing seven armed men drew alongside. The pirates opened flee, boarded the launch and escaped with 27,000 dollars.
The launch with dead and wounded reached the customs building half and hour later and the police immediately commenced scouring the surrounding districts, but there is little hope of catching the gang.
British soldiers volunteered for a blood transfusion, but faint hope is held out of saving the victim.’